What Can Dogs Drink Besides Water?

The Short Answer is:

In moderate amounts, dogs can drink fresh juices, coconut water, carrot extract, nut milk, bone broth, and kefir. If you are giving them anything, make sure it doesn’t contain any added sugars, salt, or preservatives.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “What Can Dogs Drink Besides Water?“.

My Labrador pup will drink any liquid she sees regardless of whether it is safe for her to drink. If she is sick however she will not drink or eat. It will be up to owners to think of creative ways to keep their dogs hydrated especially when they are sick. You first need to figure out how long a dog can go without water and then you can figure out what else your dog can drink besides water.

What can dogs drink besides water? Water is the only drink you should give your dog. Although your dog can occasionally drink other liquids water is the only fluid that is 100% safe for all dogs.

Should dogs only drink water?

Dogs should for the most part only drink water. All dogs can safely consume water without any issues as it is one of the safest drinks for them. You should always provide plenty of water for your dog no matter what age they are.

Why is water important for dogs?

All living things require water as an essential element. Water is necessary for dogs to maintain their organs and muscles and it helps regulate their body temperature.

A healthy dog needs about 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. Lets say your canine weighs 30 pounds. To stay hydrated and well-balanced they would need about 4 cups of water each day. If your puppy leads an active lifestyle or lives in a hot environment its hydration requirements will be slightly higher.

Can dogs drink anything other than water?

You should not consider any other drink as a replacement for water. However there are a few other fluids that can be given to your pet in small amounts. What about milk for example? After all every mammal grows up on milk.”

Unfortunately dogs develop an intolerance to milk very early in their lives so they eventually become lactose intolerant and giving them any dairy product can cause them digestive distress.

Think about the foods that are safe for dogs and if any of them can be juiced. Vegetables and fruits like carrots beets spinach watermelon and apple as well as their juices are dog-friendly.

Chicken and beef are regular parts of a dogs diet and their broth is also okay to drink. Last but not least coconut water and nut milk are safe for dogs to consume. Lets explore a few more options.

What else can dogs drink besides water?

To answer the question “What else can a dog drink besides water?” The best drink for dogs is probably plain fresh and clean water. 

Nevertheless there are drinks designed specifically for dogs. Dog-friendly drinks include beers energy drinks teas and tonics that contain only dog-friendly ingredients. Dogs can get those benefits from far better sources making their value for money questionable.

You might still be wondering “What else can my dog drink besides water?” Find out below.

What can dogs drink other than water?

Canine owners often wonder “What drinks can dogs have?” and “Can dogs drink anything else besides water?” 

The list we have compiled should satisfy your curiosity if you have ever had these questions. 

1. Vegetable juice or extracts

Dogs love carrots beetroot kale celery and spinach because they’re packed with vitamins minerals and other nutrients. In addition they’re low in calories and have no known side effects for dogs; therefore it makes sense for their juices to be safe and beneficial.

In a food processor you can juice beets celery and carrots. It is possible to extract the nutrients from spinach and kale by boiling and sieving them.

2. Coconut water

Among dog water alternatives coconut water ranks highly. Coconut water is packed with minerals vitamins and electrolytes in addition to its hydrating effects. Furthermore coconut water contains nutrients that can treat skin problems improve fur quality and cure bad breath in dogs.

3. Nut milk

Despite its lactose content dairy milk isnot the best drink for dogs but nut milk is a healthy alternative.

Coconut almond and soy milk all contain plenty of nutrients without lactose. Dogs can get enough calories from nut milk while improving their immunity and preventing bad breath.

Be sure however that your dog is not allergic to nuts and that the milk is not artificially colored. Almond and soy milk are also high in calories so do not overindulge.

4. Beef or chicken broth

You may wonder what drinks are safe for dogs. Look no further than juice from their food such as beef or chicken broth. As an easily digestible extract the broth contains all the goodness of chicken and beef.

Plain beef and chicken broth can be fed to your canine friends or you can add it to their food and water for flavor. Dogs suffering from gastrointestinal distress may also find that broth soothes their stomachs.

Dogs may lose their appetite when they are ill or not feeling well. See How to Get Your Dog to Eat When Sick for tips and tricks on how to get your dogs to eat again so that they can be on their way to better health.

5. Fruit juices

Fruit juices are safe for dogs to drink but its important to consider what dogs can drink safely. The only fruit nectar your K9 friends should have is a juice made from dog-friendly fruits.

Store-bought juices are filled with artificial flavors sweeteners and preservatives that are bad for your dog. In addition you have to make sure the juice isnot made from grapes sour fruits berries or any other fruit toxic to dogs.

6. Kefir

When it comes to what liquids dogs can drink we can not ignore the probiotic powerhouse: kefir. The fermented milk drink kefir is made from cow goat or coconut milk.

Good bacteria are abundant in the dogs belly ensuring pristine gut health and preventing gastrointestinal upset. The probiotic goodness of kefir can help dogs suffering from digestive distress caused by antibiotics. 

What can puppies drink besides water?

In addition to water milk is the best drink for puppies. As puppies do not develop lactose intolerance until they reach adulthood it is safe to give them milk in moderate amounts. Choose dog milk or goat milk with a low lactose content if you want to be on the safe side.

When dog milk is not available you can also choose specially-curated baby dog formula milk. Also puppies can drink fresh juices made from dog-friendly fruits and vegetables. Chicken and beef bone broths are excellent puppy drinks. However your pups safety should always be a priority and you should always consult a veterinarian before trying a new diet.

What can I give my dog if he is dehydrated?

Water is the best thing to give your dehydrated dog. Luckily there are ways to make water taste better for your furry family member if they do not drink water for some reason.

Make the water more appealing by adding one or two ice cubes. If the dehydration is severe you can also add electrolyte solution. You can make your own electrolyte solution by mixing sugar and salt in plain water if you do not have one on hand.

Water additives can also be made from the broth. Your dogs water bowl will taste better and its upset stomach will be soothed by adding a tablespoon or two to it.

You may need to take your K9 friend to the vet if he suffers from severe dehydration. In such cases your pup would be unable to drink water on his own and would require intravenous fluids. You can also hydrate your furry pal by squirting water into his mouth with a needleless syringe at home.

What drinks besides water should my dog never drink?

Since you know what drinks your dog can have besides water you should also learn what drinks your dog should not consume. In addition to some that are unsafe in large quantities others are downright toxic even in small amounts. Here are some examples.

1. Cow milk

Despite the fact that cow milk is generally safe and healthy for humans its not good for dogs. The majority of dogs are lactose intolerant so dairy can cause them stomach pain gas and diarrhea. There is a difference between dogs when it comes to lactose intolerance — some dogs are more tolerant than others. But it is best to avoid milk altogether and err on the side of caution.

When dogs consume something that does not sit well with their stomach diarrhea is a common symptom. Even if a dog has diarrhea it may act normally.

2. Alcohol

Your furry friend should not drink beer wine or any other alcoholic beverage. It is believed that ingesting alcohol can cause the dogs digestive and nervous systems to go haywire due to the livers inability to process it.

Because dogs are smaller than us it does not take much alcohol to mess them up. 

As fermented grape juice wine (both red and white wines) should be kept out of your dogs reach. Dogs should never be allowed to consume grapes.

Besides containing alcohol wine also contains an ingredient that is poisonous to dogs.

3. Anything with added sugar

Dogs get all the sugar they need in their regular diet and they do not require any additional sugar. Juices marketed as “natural” often contain added sugars even if they are labeled as such. When you give your dog juice make sure it is freshly squeezed and not packed. You can also give your dog homemade juices.

4. Anything with caffeine

Coffee tea energy drinks and milkshakes containing coffee or chocolate flavoring are toxic for dogs. Caffeine poisoning in dogs can occur with any amount due to their small size. Among the side effects of drinking caffeinated drinks are diarrhea seizures vomiting restlessness and excessive urination which can cause dehydration.

5. Soda

Sugar caffeine and artificial ingredients are common ingredients in carbonated drinks like soda pop. These foods provide no nutritional benefits to your furry friends and only lead to weight gain and stomach troubles. Other gastric problems can be caused by soda in dogs including bloating.

6. Citrus drinks

Oranges are not highly dangerous to dogs but sour and citrus fruit juices like lemonade can cause an upset stomach nausea and hypersensitivity to light. Citric acid is the culprit in these fruits which is poisonous to dogs.

What are some canine-friendly and healthy drinks for dogs?

Whenever my two dogs refuse to drink water for whatever reason I give them these safe healthy and energy-boosting dog drinks. This stuff is so good that they’ll drink it even when they’re not thirsty.

So what can dogs drink besides water?

In moderate amounts dogs can drink fresh juices coconut water carrot extract nut milk bone broth and kefir. If you are giving them anything make sure it does not contain any added sugars salt or preservatives. Make sure your dog drinks clean fresh cool water in order to hydrate him safely.

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.